(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I often wonder why people visit my Page, and feel the need to comment – when it seems they have no interest in the practical side of karate. . One particular comment stood out from a person that said he’s been training in Shotokan for nearly 30 years and…
Tag: Student
Karate That Grabs: It’s Not For Show, It’s For Survival.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) In a recent article, I explored how some people view karate as a performance art. They often believe that the perfect execution of a kata is the ultimate goal – the pursuit of a flawless performance. . But why do they think this? And does it actually make sense?…
Training for Ripping Flesh? I Don’t Think So. It’s Just Fantasy.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) I recently came across a comment claiming that karate contains techniques for ripping flesh. Yes, you read that right. . Apparently, hidden within traditional karate are moves that allow you to tear open human skin with your bare hands. . It’s the kind of nonsense that makes you wonder…
The Shadow in the Mirror: Not So Different – Just Seen Through Another Lens.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The guy from the other day who suggested I “stop with the crap and go do some real training” got me thinking – not about what he said, but about how common this attitude is. . So many people who comment on my articles practice modern disciplines and openly…
Kata Isn’t Necessary – But That’s Not the Point.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Here we go again. Every time I write about the benefits of kata – really trying to help people understand what it is and how it works – I get a troll in the comments. This time, he proudly declared the virtues of his “street-real” jiu-jitsu and MMA training….
Through the Dojo Door: Stepping Into Change.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Change. Even the word makes some karateka open their mouths in horror, as if you’ve insulted their family or spat on their dojo floor. . People resist change because they believe they will lose something of value, or fear they will not be able to adapt to new ways….
Back to Basics: It’s Not What You Think. Forget the Technique, Understand the Concept (Found in Kata).
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Ever looked at a kata and thought, “There’s a theme here”? Well you’re probably right. . But to see it, you need to look beyond the block, punch, and kick. You have to go deeper than the surface-level mechanics most people focus on when working through bunkai. . Let’s…
Naihanchi Is Not Everything. But it’s a Great Place to Start.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Naihanchi – one of my favourite kata. . Filled with close-range fighting and grappling techniques. It’s probable that Itosu believed Naihanchi to be so effective that, even if it was the only kata a student ever learnt, they would still become an able fighter. . The phrase “Everything is…
The Art of Learning: Empty Your Cup.
A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom. . The master served tea. He poured the visitor’s cup full, then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflow until he could no longer restrain himself. . “It is overfull. No more will go in!” . “Like this cup”, the…
Kata as a Textbook: Understanding Its Misunderstood Language.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Kata means many things to many people. For some, it’s just a bunch of basics – something to help practice those basics, or maybe something more. Once again, only recently someone said to me, “Kata is useless.” . You can choose to see kata as something you do for…
Beyond the Syllabus: Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences in the Martial Arts.
(Approx 3 minute read) Someone recently commented on one of my articles, saying they don’t bother planning lessons – they just go with the flow. That got me thinking. . I’m all for being adaptable in the moment. But it made me reflect on how we, as instructors, prepare – or don’t – for the…
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are.
In life, you cannot always choose what you do, but you can always choose who you are. . No matter how things may seem, you always have a choice. Sometimes, the best choice is to let go and just move forward. . The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take that…